Exploratory study on the factors related with the early detection of missing older persons with dementia living alone in Japan

AIM: To clarify the factors related to the early detection of missing older persons with dementia (PwD) who lived alone in Japan.

METHODS: We carried out a multiple regression analysis with data from 88 missing PwD.

RESULTS: The location of the discovery was within the municipality where the missing PwD lived. Furthermore, the use of long-term care insurance services was significantly associated with early detection.

CONCLUSION: Missing PwD were located within the municipality in which they lived, which meant that the individual was found before they went far. In addition, with the long-term care insurance services, professionals should regularly visit the home of PwD according to a care plan. Planned regular visits might trigger the early recognition of a missing person with dementia and enable early search activities. Therefore, use of long-term care insurance services might lead to the early detection of missing PwD living alone. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; ••: ••-••.